Condition of The Infinity?

[SPacificbound]

We have been on Infinity since February 15 and do not disembark until March 30.

 

We are 3 1/2 weeks into our 6 weeks on Infinity, I do not do reviews but I want you to know this ship is fine!

 

I am going to begin with what is important to me and then work down from there.

 

1. Staff is wonderful! our cabin steward Dennis and his asst. Eddie are both very good. They do things before you know you want them done. All of the staff we have encountered have been very helpful and courteous.

 

2. Entertainment has been good to excellent. They have brought on some good guest entertainers but the Infinity's onboard contract entertainers are excellent also.

 

3. Food- OK on this one I'm going to have to start with

First, I am not a foodie, I live to eat, not eat to live.

Second, I am strict vegetarian, so my needs or wants would probably be different then most.

 

DH however has told me he thinks the food is good. His only complaint- too much roast beef (???) So I have advised him to speak up and ask about alternatives.

 

But-

We do not eat in the dining room so I can't help there at all. As a strict vegetarian it is much easier for me to find the types of food I need in the Oceanview Cafe then the formal dining room.

 

4. Bar- pretty much the only place we get drinks is in the theater and Reece is great.

 

Let's see, I started this because OP asked about ship conditions. The ship is in good shape and is maintained constantly. Are there things that need to be done, of course there are.

 

DH was told by a senior officer that Infinity was going into drydock in the last quarter of 2015. I have no knowledge of the accuracy of that statement, but Infinity went through a major refurbishment in the fourth quarter 2011.

 

Rust- There is some rust, it is in saltwater 365 days a year. For someone to imply that the amount of rust on the ship makes it dangerous is just crazy.

 

Mold- I am highly allergic to mold, and I have not come across any yet.

 

You will see some carpet that needs to be replaced, and some upholstery also, but that is wear and tear from being inhabited 365 days a year.

 

For 100% honesty, I do not find the mattress to be as comfortable as I like, but that is just one women's opinion.

 

I hope you have a great cruise!!

[amc aaa]

They overhang is only a problem if you want sun on your balcony. It pretty much gives you full time shade, no matter which side of the ship you are on.

 

Thanks for your reply. Some shade might be good in the hot part of our trip. Does it affect your view at all?

[dszrew]

Thanks for your reply. Some shade might be good in the hot part of our trip. Does it affect your view at all?

 

we were in 9126 around the horn in January. it has the overhang from the buffet area above. the overhand mostly affected us when going through the Straits of Magellan or part of the Fjords. at times it was difficult to see to the top of the mountains. I also found the overhang showing up in more pictures than I expected. but... I also often just went up 2 decks for a clear view of everything left and right and aft. there were times I'd be on the balcony taking pictures, then I'd zip upstairs to do a few more, then back down, then back up, etc.

 

I'm not sure if the lower cabins below deck 9 under the overhang would have still had the problem or not.

[Miaminice]

Have any of you been in Cabin 9050 or one on deck 9? I've read the overhang from deck 10 is bothersome. What do you think? We are booked for Around the Horn Jan. 2016. Thanks June

 

Hi:

 

We just returned from the Cape Horn tour last week. Great ship, no issues and no worries!

 

we had an AQ stateroom on Constellation with the overhang before. I did not like it at all. Big problem if you love taking photos.

 

On this last cruise we had an AQ stateroom on deck 11 (1104), starboard side. Perfekt location for this itinerary. Cape Horn, Glacier Alley etc. - watched it all from the balkony.

 

Pics with overhang:

 

 

[miched]

Hi,

 

I would not be too concerned about negative reviews on the condition of a ship. I have taken cruises on ships after reading reviews complaining about poor maintenance. In every case, the ship was fine and I did not notice any major problems. Of course, the ships aren't perfect because they are exposed to the weather and are subject to the wear and tear of thousands of people. However, the cruise lines usually do an excellent job of maintaining the ships.

 

Chuck

 

With all of the traffic and sometimes adverse conditions it is a amazing that the ship looks as spotless as they do. I seen a cleaner using a tooth brush to clean the grooves in the elevator threshold. The bartenders removing all the glasses and cleaning the shelves every night. Every day wiping the walls in the stairwells. I doubt if any land resort or casino maintains their facilities as good.

 

happy cruising. 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[emileg]

Hi:

 

We just returned from the Cape Horn tour last week. Great ship, no issues and no worries!

 

we had an AQ stateroom on Constellation with the overhang before. I did not like it at all. Big problem if you love taking photos.

 

On this last cruise we had an AQ stateroom on deck 11 (1104), starboard side. Perfekt location for this itinerary. Cape Horn, Glacier Alley etc. - watched it all from the balkony.

 

Pics with overhang:

 

 

The overhang in the top picture gives character and context to the picture. It makes what might be a rather uninteresting picture very interesting.

 

Do I see what looks like brick in the dividers in the lower picture?

 

Thanks for sharing your photos.

[Miaminice]

No brick, just a pattern in the glass...

[hcat]

Glad to hear many positives about Infinity..

Wonder if anything special will be done during the drydock mentioned..?

[curtdesilets]

I've been on Infinity in the past and am sailing her again in April. "Older ship" almost seems funny to me -- Infinity first sailed in 2001 and has had several overhauls since. Celebrity pays hundreds of millions of dollars for each ship, do you think they going to neglect the investment? If they do, they keep it pretty well hidden. Sure, there are times when you'll see worn carpet or thinning fabric on the seating, but you see that in great restaurants and five-star hotels at times, too. The more I read these reviews the more skeptical I become about many of them, because it seems that too many reviewers are out with their magnifying glasses looking for something to criticize, rather than enjoying the overall vibe (or not) and reporting on that.

 

We were on Infinity perhaps 2 months after she launched in 2001. What a wonderful ship. She won the Conde Nast poll several years in a row in the early 2000's. She may be showing some age, but is still a beauty.

 

Check this out from 2005: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=129689

Edited March 21, 2015 by curtdesilets
Additional info

[Kentucky816]

I got on this morning to ask pretty much the same question. A big thanks to the original poster and all you wonderful seasoned Celebrity Cruisers for answering honestly. We took our first Celebrity cruise on the Summit in this past Jan. and wanted to book the Infinity for a fall cruise and wondered how it compared. Like the original poster I too read the reviews and was concerned.

Thanks All!

[themanwithahat]

We are taking our grandson on this ship...should I be concerned? Hopefully, this review was an exaggeration?

 

I don't know about this ship per se. My opinion is that all you can get from cruise reviews is a general outline from reading a significant sample of them.

 

Some of the ones I've been on are ridiculously nit picking, and some of them I cannot believe were written by people on the cruise (or are lying, or are written by people who work for other cruise lines).

 

For example, someone once wrote of a P&O Cruise I was on that "the MDR was like school dinners" (para.) ; in which case they must have gone to a very expensive school. I'm pretty sure when I was at school we never had steak or lobster .... or waiter service ...

 

If review after review after review brings up the same points they may have some validity.

 

You will get a far better balanced view, IMO, by reading these forums about your choice, and asking questions.

 

Read the reviews, certainly, but look for those who've written more than "this was all brilliant" (no thought) "this was xxxx because (followed by a rant)" (bone to pick). You'll find odd measured reviews written by people who've taken some time over it (I hope the 2 or 3 I've written are like this).

 

My sister who has been on four different lines (including Celebrity), all at about the same sort of price, reckons there isn't a fag paper between them. Some are better at things than others, but there's usually counterbalances. Some attract a different clientele (e.g. MSC, Disney, Fred Olsen, CMV).

 

If these ships were as bad as some reviews suggest, this forum would be empty, because no-one would go on Celebrity twice, would they ?

[norwegianwood57]

We have not been on an M class ship for a very long time. Many sailings on C class and wondered if we would miss the newer amenities. Glad to hear that the Infinity is still a beautiful ship and hope that dry dock will freshen it up. I am referring to newer bathrooms, carpeting. etc.

 

We will be sailing in the fall of 2016. Hope it will be done by then. There are some very good itineraries on the Infinity, away from Europe. That and a refurbishment may prompt an increase in interest in an older ship.

[amc aaa]

We've been on 3 other Celebrity cruises. Two on newer ships, Equinox and Eclispe, and one with the Constellation. I love the newer ships best but the Connie had been "Solsticized". Which meant the common areas had been improved and Aquaclass added. The ship showed it's age in the cabins but nothing major. We thouroughly enjoyed being on the Connie. Infinity was solsticized in Nov. 2011.

 

I've heard the refurbish for the Infinity is scheduled 2017 but couldn't verify that just now.

 

We too have booked an aquaclass at a cheaper fare than balcony. The only concern I have for Aqua is that on this ship aqua is on deck 9, under the pool and solarium. I've been under the cafeteria before and it was noisy in the AM when they slid the chairs around. Hoping that won't be a problem.

 

Thanks for the photos Miaminice! Gives us an idea what to expect. I think we'll stay with Aqua for this trip dispite the overhang... June

[ptrpanpens]

We've been on 3 other Celebrity cruises. Two on newer ships, Equinox and Eclispe, and one with the Constellation. I love the newer ships best but the Connie had been "Solsticized". Which meant the common areas had been improved and Aquaclass added. The ship showed it's age in the cabins but nothing major. We thouroughly enjoyed being on the Connie. Infinity was solsticized in Nov. 2011.

 

I've heard the refurbish for the Infinity is scheduled 2017 but couldn't verify that just now.

 

We too have booked an aquaclass at a cheaper fare than balcony. The only concern I have for Aqua is that on this ship aqua is on deck 9, under the pool and solarium. I've been under the cafeteria before and it was noisy in the AM when they slid the chairs around. Hoping that won't be a problem.

 

Thanks for the photos Miaminice! Gives us an idea what to expect. I think we'll stay with Aqua for this trip dispite the overhang... June

 

I was in Aqua class recently on Constellation and the overhang did not bother me at all. I liked the shade. I cropped out the overhang if I needed to when taking photos from the balcony.

 

BTW, I am on your Infinity cruise around the Horn in january. See you there!:D

[hcat]

We enjoyed Connie in January...most of the renewed or new spaces are lovely, esp Tuscan and Bistro.. Ship in great condition, staff wonderful and food excellent in Blu, Bistro, Tuscan, Murano, AQ spa cafe,...even the buffet! Loved the spa and T pool. Was a nice cozy change from S Class....

 

We did change our midships stateroom ASAP due to very loud DJ music and vibration overhead from DJ, zumba., etc.......all taking place as the cruise began. Luckily, staff who came to review our complaint immediately agreed and we were given a new AQ room in short order..It was further forward but turned out to be a great spot.

 

If anyone likes to be at all the loud deck parties, location is OK...but not for folks like us who enjoy the quiet sanctuary of our stateroom.

 

We will not be in same midships location for Infinity so all should be well. The ABC Island itin is very exciting!

[amc aaa]

I was in Aqua class recently on Constellation and the overhang did not bother me at all. I liked the shade. I cropped out the overhang if I needed to when taking photos from the balcony.

 

BTW, I am on your Infinity cruise around the Horn in january. See you there!:D

 

Neat! Are you on that thread as well? AQ? Can't wait. June

[amc aaa]

I've booked a week cruise to Alaska and its on the Infinity. We sail June 14th. I'll let you all know how she looks on my return...June